Cook named preseason all-WAC, Kats picked 5/6 in polls

DENVER, Colo. – The Sam Houston women's basketball team was picked to finish fifth and sixth in the WAC and Faith Cook was named to the Preseason all-WAC second team in a release from league officials on Tuesday morning.

The Kats, who went 15-8 a year ago and advanced to the championship game of the Southland Tournament, were voted to finish fifth by the WAC media and sixth in the league's coaches poll.

Defending WAC champion California Baptist was selected in both polls to repeat, while last year's Southland champion, Stephen F. Austin was chosen second in both polls. Both the Lancers and Ladyjacks received six first-place votes in the coaches poll, with CBU edging SFA in total points.

Grand Canyon received the lone remaining first-place vote from the coaches and was chosen third in that poll while being picked fourth in the media poll behind Utah Valley.

Meanwhile, Sam Houston was chosen fifth by the media and came in slightly behind former Southland rival Abilene Christian in the coaches poll. Despite being chosen fifth by the coaches, ACU was chosen eighth by league media.

As for Cook, the preseason honor adds to her list of accolades as she enters her third year on the court for the Bearkats. It comes on the heels of being named an all-SLC third team choice and to the all-tournament team at the Southland Tournament a year ago.

The 2020 Southland Conference Newcomer of the Year, Cook averaged 13.2 points and led the Southland with 4.3 assists and 36.5 minutes per game a year ago. She reached double figures in scoring in 17 of 23 games, and averaged 16.0 points per game in the Kats' run to the Southland Tournament title game.

Cook is one of six returners off of last year's team, including forwards Courtney Cleveland and Kaylee Jefferson, posts Madelyn Batista and Deondra Young and guard Sydnee Kemp. The Kats will also feature eight newcomers on this year's roster, along with transfer guard Damaya Telemaque who transferred to SHSU prior to last season from South Alabama before sitting out the year due to injury.

The Bearkats are set to kick off the 2021-22 season, its first in the WAC on November 11 when it hosts Wiley College.

Season tickets are available by visiting GoBearkats.com or by calling the Bearkat Ticket Office at 936-294-1729.

Cook named preseason all-WAC, Kats picked 5/6 in polls

Players Mentioned

Madelyn Batista

Courtney Cleveland

Faith Cook

Kaylee Jefferson

Sydnee Kemp

Damaya Telemaque

Deondra Young

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